LECO52002- AFINA SHAMSUDEEN -ESSAY ON ONLINE CLASSES

 

ONLINE CLASSES; A BOON OR A CURSE?
 

The Covid19 pandemic has triggered new ways of learning. All over the world, the teaching institutions are looking for more advanced ways of online teaching and learning. However, with the ongoing lockdown, this teaching-learning has got a new lease of life. The students are not supposed to venture outside the house as they used to, rather they can attend their classes within the safety of their own houses. It is a fact that online education cannot replace the offline class, but during such a situation the online classes manages to provide a better mode of teaching. As with the most teaching methods, online learning has its own sets of merits and demerits.

The traditional concept of teaching and learning was limited within the walls of the classroom. But the technology has made the face to face teaching process possible with several online applications such as zoom, Google meet, YouTube etc. This electronically supported learning system that relies on internet helps to provide the classroom within the screens of mobile phone or tablets. E-learning became an integral part of the educational system. E-learning not only substituted the ordinary classroom but also opened several opportunities for everyone who wishes to learn something.

Online learning has become the simplest and the newest way of learning. It helps the students to gather study materials faster than that of the offline classes. The online classes never force the students to be in their houses, but it is as per the student’s choice, that when to attend the class or from where to attend the class. The fear of travel to distant colleges and universities can be wiped out with this online mode of education. It saves hours as neither students nor teachers required to travel to the physical location for the classes.

Another merit of online classes is that the student has greater flexibility to choose the best time to study. They can search for the missed portions and catch up the classes later. All they needed is a computer or a smart phone having internet connection. Another important advantage comes with the economy. As online reduces the physical appearance on the location, an institution do not need rely on reserving a physical location for the students and teachers. It cuts the travel cost and such costs of both the teachers and the students.

Like the two sides of a coin, online classes also have two sides, that is, of course online classes are beneficial it has its own demerits. One of the biggest challenges for many students is that to focus on the screen for a long time. Therefore it is imperative for the teachers to keep their online classes interesting, engaging and enjoyable. Another key challenge of online classes is internet connectivity. In smaller cities and towns, a consistent connection with a decent speed is a problem. Without having a consistent connection, the students or the teachers will face lack of continuity.

Another major problem of online classes is that, by this kind of education there occurs a minimal physical interaction between the students and teachers. Students have a lot to learn from the company of the peers. This lack of interaction will cause a sense of isolation in the students. Online learning requires teachers to have a basic understanding of using digital forms of learning. The teachers often have a very basic understanding of the technology. Sometimes they lack the necessary resources or tools to conduct the classes. Most importantly, the hazardous health issues often come out as a result of the continuous usage of screen. The students were spending long periods of time in front of the screen, staring at it. It may cause several health issues including eye problems.

In such situation, online classes are an eminent element of our daily life which we cannot avoid. It has several benefits like our safety during this pandemic, but it also posses several major issues for our health. We cannot move forward smoothly without having such a technological support. It is at the same time a boon and a curse. We have to do properly to avoid the consequences following by limiting the use of such apps.